Basic cognitive mechanisms and processes

Often we wish to do multiple actions at the same time (i.e., carry on a conversation and drive a car); however, the resources we have for cognition are finite. In the most general sense, we use behavioral measures and probe human cognitive machinery under conditions of dual-task interference to explore cognitive architecture and the limits of human performance. These methods have been used to explore and elucidate the processing required for tasks ranging from those as complex as driving and decision making, to those as basic as memory retrieval and vocal production.

In the press:

NY Times article on multitasking.

Relevant demos:

Visible Bottleneck I - (Java Applet illustrating Central Bottleneck)
Visible Bottleneck II - (A highly compatible task that can be performed with answering questions: works but it doesn't play any questions yet)
Can we read two words at the same time?
Tapping as a concurrent task - (no bottleneck without response choice)

Sample publications:

Pashler, H. (1998). The Psychology of Attention. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.